Eye tracking during a simulated start of shift safety check: An observational analysis of gaze behavior of critical care nurses.

Background: The handover and associated shift start checks by nurses of critical care patients are complex and prone to errors. However, which aspects lead to errors remains unknown. Fewer errors might occur in a structured approach.

Neuromuscular monitoring during modified rapid sequence induction: A comparison of TOF-Cuff® and TOF-Scan®.

Background: Acceleromyometry is the clinical standard for quantitative neuromuscular monitoring, mostly using the stimulation pattern train-of-four (TOF). TOF-Cuff®, a recently introduced neuromuscular monitor with stimulating electrodes integrated within a blood pressure cuff, assesses the muscular response in the upper arm.

Methods: The time from administration of a neuromuscular blocking agent to TOF-ratio 0% during modified rapid sequence induction was compared between TOF-Cuff® and acceleromyometry (TOF-Scan®).

Efficacy of intraoperative epidural triamcinolone application in lumbar microdiscectomy: a matched-control study.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the intraoperative application of an epidural steroid (ES) on the decompressed nerve root improves short- and midterm subjective and objective clinical outcomes after lumbar microdiscectomy. METHODS This study was a retrospective analysis of a 2-center database including consecutive cases in which patients underwent lumbar microdiscectomy. All patients who received ES application (40 mg triamcinolone, ES group) were matched by age and sex to patients who had not received ES application (control group).

Patients' Preference of the Timed Up and Go Test or Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Before and After Surgery for Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease.

Background: The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, as a measure of objective functional impairment in lumbar degenerative disk disease (DDD), complements patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of subjective functional impairment.

Methods: Prospective 2-center study on consecutive patients scheduled for surgical treatment for lumbar DDD who underwent an objective (TUG test) and subjective (PROMs) functional assessment before and 1 and 3 days after surgery. PROMs included the visual analog scale (VAS), Roland-Morris Disability Index (RMDI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Euro-Qol (EQ-5D), and Short Form 12 (SF-12) questionnaires.

Effects of Smoking on Subjective and Objective Measures of Pain Intensity, Functional Impairment, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease.

Background: Numerous studies assessed the effects of smoking on lumbar degenerative disk disease (DDD); they focused on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and yielded conflicting results.

Methods: In this 2-center study on consecutive patients receiving surgical treatment for lumbar DDD, subjective functional impairment (SFI) in terms of PROMs including visual analog scale back and leg pain, Roland-Morris, Oswestry Disability Index, Euro-Qol-5D, and a Short-Form 12 physical component summary was determined at baseline, 3 days, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Age- and sex-adjusted T-scores of objective functional impairment (OFI) were determined using the Timed Up and Go test up to 6 weeks postoperatively.

Validity and Reliability of a Measurement of Objective Functional Impairment in Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease: The Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test.

Background: There are few objective measures of functional impairment to support clinical decision making in lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD).

Objective: We present the validation (and reliability measures) of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.

Methods: In a prospective, 2-center study, 253 consecutive patients were assessed using the TUG test.

The timed up and go test for lumbar degenerative disc disease.

We report on the use and performance of an objective measure of functional impairment, the timed up and go (TUG) test, in clinical practice for patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). We illustrate nine representative patients with lumbar DDD, who were selected from an ongoing prospective study, to report our clinical experience with the TUG test. In addition, a preliminary sample of 30 non-selected consecutive patients is presented.